Muslim World Report

Israel's Growing Alliance with Far-Right Politics Raises Concerns

Dr. Anthony Lindsay | Mar 27, 2025 2:29 PM | 5 min read | 966 words

TL;DR: Israel’s recent political alignments with far-right leaders pose significant risks to its democratic values, create internal tensions, and could reshape its global relationships. Critics warn of dangerous historical parallels, and dissent within Israeli society raises questions about its future direction.

Israel’s Embrace of Far-Right Politics: A Dangerous Intersection of Ideologies

Israel’s recent invitation to far-right leader Jordan Bardella to speak in Jerusalem marks a troubling turn in the nation’s political landscape. Organized by Amichai Chikli, Israel’s Minister for Diaspora Affairs, this move signals a growing alignment between the Israeli government and Europe’s extreme right, particularly parties known for their anti-Muslim rhetoric.

The implications of this alliance extend beyond domestic politics into international relations, raising pressing questions about Israel’s democratic values, its identity as a Jewish state, and its historical narrative in a region marked by profound conflict.

Key Observations

  • Political Expediency Over Morality: Former Israeli ambassador Daniel Shek has observed that the current government prioritizes political expediency over moral considerations.
  • Xenophobia and Anti-Semitism: It aligns with factions that historically harbor not only xenophobic ideologies but also a troubling legacy of anti-Semitism (Salamanca et al., 2012).
  • Historical Parallels: Critics assert that this move evokes uncomfortable historical parallels, reminiscent of past alliances that led to catastrophic consequences during World War II.

Shek poignantly notes that, in the eyes of the current government, the only anti-Semites are Muslims and the extreme left, a dangerous simplification that ignores the complexities of historical prejudices (Park, 2015).

Implications of Embracing Far-Right Politics

This trend of embracing far-right politics reflects a broader erosion of democratic principles in many Western nations. As Israel increasingly aligns itself with these forces, it raises alarms about its commitment to pluralism and equality, particularly regarding its Arab citizens and the Palestinian population.

  • Internal Dissent: The recent gathering of 20,000 Jews denouncing Zionism underscores an internal unease regarding the moral implications of this alignment (Hinnebusch, 2006).
  • Danger of Nationalism: Ongoing discussions around nationalism and identity intensify the risk of repeating historical mistakes, complicating Israel’s narrative in the global community while threatening to destabilize Europe amid rising anti-Muslim sentiments (Mudde & Kaltwasser, 2012).

What If Israel’s Political Alignment Deepens?

Should Israel’s government further entrench its alliances with far-right groups in Europe, several significant shifts may occur:

  • Increased Internal Conflict: The normalization of anti-Muslim and xenophobic rhetoric could escalate conflict within Israel itself, exacerbating tensions between Jewish and Arab citizens.
  • Diplomatic Isolation: Deepening ties with far-right factions could alienate Israel from traditional allies, particularly in Europe and North America.

This scenario raises the following concerns:

  1. Conflict Escalation: A climate of intolerance could undermine the democratic principles upon which the state was founded.
  2. Global Scrutiny: Renewed global scrutiny may inspire a new generation of anti-Zionist sentiment that challenges longstanding narratives (Lloyd, 2012; Zoubir, 2002).

What If the International Community Responds?

A concerted response from the international community could serve as a counterbalance to Israel’s growing connections with far-right groups:

  • Diplomatic Pressure: If global leaders were to adopt a unified stance against these alliances, we might see an increase in diplomatic pressure aimed at preserving democratic values and human rights.
  • Activism Surge: This could embolden activists advocating for Palestinian rights, revitalizing grassroots movements facing challenges (Aouragh, 2016).

Potential responses might include:

  • Formal condemnations
  • Public statements
  • Sanctions against Israel (Hasson et al., 2007)

However, the potential backlash within Israel could tighten nationalist sentiments, complicating pathways to reconciliation. The Israeli government may frame international criticism as an attack on national sovereignty, leading to increased repression of dissent.

What If Internal Resistance Grows?

The mounting dissent within Israeli society, exemplified by the public condemnation of Zionism by 20,000 Jews, indicates a pivotal moment for the nation (Pappé, 2006). If this trend of internal resistance continues to grow, it could result in:

  • Political Discourse Shifts: A re-evaluation of what it means to be a Jewish state in a region marked by diversity.
  • Inclusivity Advocacy: Activists may push for policies prioritizing inclusivity and mutual respect, challenging exclusionary narratives (Vitalis, 2013).

However, internal resistance could prompt a government response that suppresses these movements, framing them as threats to national security (Zoubir, 2002). This might lead to:

  • Increased repression
  • Limiting open dialogue

Conclusion

The intertwining of far-right politics and traditional Zionist narratives poses critical challenges that demand urgent attention. As various stakeholders across the globe consider their roles in these developments, the potential for new narratives and alliances remains pivotal for achieving a just and equitable resolution to the protracted conflicts within the region.

References

Aouragh, M. (2016). Hasbara 2.0: Israel’s Public Diplomacy in the Digital Age. Middle East Critique. https://doi.org/10.1080/19436149.2016.1179432

Bunzl, M. (2005). Between Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia: Some Thoughts on the New Europe. American Ethnologist, 32(4), 499-512. https://doi.org/10.1525/ae.2005.32.4.499

Hasson, R. R., Ferguson, M. J., Shidlovski, D., & Gross, T. (2007). Subliminal Exposure to National Flags Affects Political Thought and Behavior. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0704679104

Hinnebusch, R. (2006). SYRIA: Asad in Search of Legitimacy: Message and Rhetoric in the Syrian Press under Hafiz and Bashar. The Middle East Journal.

Lloyd, D. (2012). Settler Colonialism and the State of Exception: The Example of Palestine/Israel. Settler Colonial Studies. https://doi.org/10.1080/2201473x.2012.10648826

Marusek, S. (2017). Inventing Terrorists: The Nexus of Intelligence and Islamophobia. Critical Studies on Terrorism. https://doi.org/10.1080/17539153.2017.1351597

Mudde, C., & Kaltwasser, C. R. (2012). Exclusionary vs. Inclusionary Populism: Comparing Contemporary Europe and Latin America. Government and Opposition, 47(2), 201-228. https://doi.org/10.1017/gov.2012.11

Pappé, I. (2006). The 1948 Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine. Journal of Palestine Studies, 36(1), 6-20. https://doi.org/10.1525/jps.2006.36.1.6

Park, B. (2015). Turkey’s Isolated Stance: An Ally No More, or Just the Usual Turbulence? International Affairs. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2346.12280

Salamanca, O. J., Qato, M., Rabie, K., & Samour, S. (2012). Past is Present: Settler Colonialism in Palestine. Settler Colonial Studies, 2, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1080/2201473x.2012.10648823

Zoubir, Y. H. (2002). Libya in US Foreign Policy: From Rogue State to Good Fellow? Third World Quarterly, 23(4), 699-704. https://doi.org/10.1080/01436590220108162

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